The Inside Line Podcast - Vital MTB

0:00 - Aaron Gwin8:16 - James McAllister16:05 - Neko MulallyAs the 2026 downhill mountain bike season dawns, Frameworks TRP Racing announces that #USDH superstar, Aaron Gwin will join the team. Aaron, multi-time World Cup-winning downhiller, ran his own team, Gwin Racing, aboard Crestline bikes in 2024 and 2025. The change to Frameworks means a focus on racing, rather than team management, as Gwin seeks to wrap up his competitive career giving it all he can. With a new team comes new equipment. Besides the Frameworks frame, Aaron returns to FOX suspension after Ohlins with Gwin Racing. He'll be on Burgtec bars, a departure from his long-time Renthal setup. Wheels change to ENVE from e.thirteen, and he'll be aboard Continental tires.Vital contributor, Jack Rice, catches up with Aaron, Neko and James McAllister, Aaron's mechanic during a testing session at Windrock Bike Park in December to discuss the changes and challenges.

After an exciting two years with Mondraker Factory Racing, our guy Dak has moved to Scott DH Factory and signed a three-year deal. So naturally, we had to podcast about it. We wanted all the details on what prompted his departure from Mondraker, what attracted him to Scott, his goals and expectations for the upcoming season now that he's mostly recovered from his injury, and most importantly: will he still be running 75mm rise bars on his new Gambler? Per usual, Dak was transparent about what he’s seeking from a team at this point in his career, the reality of having to prove he’s still a podium contender post-injury, and his newfound appreciation for the opportunity he has to keep racing his bike. We hope you enjoy the conversation!

We have a very special, and probably tear-and-laugh filled episode of The Inside Line as we catch back up with Colin Meagher, all-around nice guy, incredible, storied mountain bike photographer and man dealing with the late stages of ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Since Colin’s symptoms have progressed so strongly, he’s not really able to speak, so we have a gaggle of his best buds in Seattle to help do the talking for him.You can watch this interview on our YouTube ChannelIt was almost 7 years to the day that I first met with Colin in Hood River, Oregon, for an interview (found here). We talked about his career highlights and his diagnosis with ALS and what the future looked like for him. Well, we’re back to celebrate him and his life through some memories and some roasting by a group of friends that only know each other because of Colin.Since Colin can't speak, we go through a Q&A with Patrik Zuest reading the answers that Colin wrote and provided via email.Everyone at Vital hopes you get inspired by listening to the stories of how Colin impacted so many lives. Colin, we love you!Contents0:00 - Intro and Colin's crew on how they met colin8:26 - Colin answers questions about his ALS35:35 - Colin gets roasted by his crew

Electric mountain bikes. Either you love ‘em, or think they’re wack. Granted, the latter opinion has been losing steam as more brands release good e-bikes, and more riders toss a leg over one. They’re the talk of our industry and are one of the few, if not the only, segments of bikes experiencing significant change year after year.In this show, Vital’s own Jason Schroeder and Shawn Spomer, along with industry veteran Lars Sternberg, and Founder/Operator of Crestline Bikes, Troydon Murison, sift through the current landscape of e-bikes and discuss what the future might hold. The conversation also kicks off with a rad (almost hour-long) dive into how Crestline Bikes became a thing and the challenges posed by making bikes overseas.Contents00:00 "My Watch Said I Was Dead" - Lars Sternberg08:54 What's In and What's Out: Weekly Highlights21:17 The Founding of Crestline Bikes and how they were made59:02 Transitioning to DJI Motors01:35:08 Consumer Behavior and E-Bike Sales01:53:20 Understanding Power and Performance in E-Bikes02:10:13 The Balance Between Analog and E-Bikes02:20:43 Regulations and Safety Concerns in E-Biking

In this special edition of the Inside Line podcast, Jeff Brines interviews Sam Nicols, the former CEO of YT Industries from 2021 to 2024, exploring his journey from a career at Amazon to leading a prominent bike company during tumultuous times. He reflects on his experiences as CEO of YT Industries, discussing the challenges faced in the bike industry, particularly around demand fluctuations, inventory management, and the impact of cash flow on business decisions.00:00 Introduction to Sam Nicols and YT Industries01:49 Sam's Background and Career Path09:28 Challenges of Stepping into YT During the Pandemic11:35 Navigating Supply Chain Issues and Customer Care16:01 The Private Equity Interest and Acquisition Process23:45 Aligning Goals with Private Equity30:15 Understanding the Risks of Private Equity34:11 The Impact of Market Conditions on YT's Valuation37:05 Transitioning to In-House Assembly49:43 Demand Fluctuations and Market Realities50:21 Navigating Demand Fluctuations54:08 Strategic Decisions Amidst Overstocks01:00:05 The Impact of Cash Flow on Business Decisions01:03:43 Cost Management Challenges in the Bike Industry01:10:08 Marketing Strategies: Balancing Brand and Performance01:17:48 The Role of Data in Business Operations01:25:12 Leadership Dynamics and Company Culture01:30:12 Reflections on Competition and Industry Evolution